Glenn Robinson III, Nik Stauskas Continue to Lead The Way For Michigan Wolverines

By Alex Chitty

Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Tonight, the Michigan Wolverines continued to build on an impressive season as they beat the Nebraska Cornhuskers 79-50 in Ann Arbor. The No. 10 Wolverines looked strong from the tip off, as sophomore Glenn Robinson III led the way with 23 points and five rebounds. A big win for the team, despite a quiet night from leading scorer Nik Stauskas, is exactly what Michigan needed after a disappointing loss to the Indiana Hoosiers on Sunday.

Stauskas has been a dangerous weapon for Michigan since his freshman year. However, this season, he is playing exceptionally well, averaging almost 17.8 points and 3.7 assists per game. Stauskas has elevated his game in 2013-14, which is exactly what the Wolverines needed with the departure of Trey Burke and Tim Hardaway Jr. to the NBA.

Unfortunately for Michigan, the team’s success has weighed heavily upon the success of the 6-foot-6 shooting guard from Canada. In the recent loss to Indiana, Stauskas was just 1-6 from the field and finished with just six points. Tonight’s win against Nebraska shows the rest of the Michigan players, as well as fans, that the Wolverines can indeed win even when Stauskas is having a poor night shooting the basketball (nine points).

When Robinson III plays the way he did tonight, Michigan is going to be a tough team to beat. Because of the ability of Stauskas to shoot the ball from the perimeter, Robinson III is going to find himself in position to score quite often. Stauskas was able to find the open man tonight (eight assists), and Robinson III was able to finish.

At 6-foot-6, 220 pounds, Robinson III has all the tools needed to be a premier player in college basketball. So far this season, he is averaging a little more than 13 points and four rebounds per game, but continues to improve as the year goes on. If he can keep up the progress, he will be playing in the NBA someday, just like his father once did.

As can be seen, Michigan has a formidable scoring combination between Stauskas and Robinson III. Michigan has the ability to win even when one of these players is having a difficult time scoring the ball. The Wolverines will be an interesting team to watch in the NCAA Tournament if both of these guys pick up the scoring at the right time.